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Mediation

Abusive Supervision by Coaches Contributes to Athlete Burnout in Chinese Culture

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers at Pukyong National University conducted a study on the impact of abusive supervision by coaches on athlete burnout in the Chinese culture. The study, which collected data from 301 athletes in China, found that abusive supervision by coaches was significantly associated with athlete burnout. Furthermore, the study discovered that cognitive trust, but not affective trust, moderated the relationship between abusive supervision and athlete burnout. The findings suggest that fostering a supportive coach-athlete relationship is crucial for preventing athlete burnout.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that abusive supervision by coaches was a significant predictor of athlete burnout in the Chinese culture.
  • The coach-athlete relationship mediated the association between abusive supervision and helping behavior.
  • Cognitive trust positively moderated the mediating effect of abusive supervision on the coach-athlete relationship.
  • Affective trust did not have a statistically significant moderating role in this process.
  • The study concluded that fostering a supportive coach-athlete relationship grounded in mutual respect and effective communication is critical for preventing athlete burnout.
  • The research was funded by the Social Science Foundation of Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China.
  • The study's findings have implications for coaching practices and athlete-athlete interactions in the Chinese culture.

Statistics:

  • The study collected data from 301 athletes in China.
  • The study found that 71.1% of athletes reported experiencing abusive supervision by their coaches.
  • 62.1% of athletes reported experiencing burnout.
  • The study found a significant correlation between abusive supervision and burnout, with a Pearson's r of 0.56.
  • The results indicate that for every unit increase in abusive supervision, the risk of burnout increased by 1.21 times.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Findings from Pukyong National University Reveals New Findings on Psychology (The Impact of Abusive Supervision By Coaches On Athlete Burnout In Chinese Culture). Psychology & Psychiatry Journal. November 1, 2025; p 139.
  • Frontiers in Psychology. "The Impact of Abusive Supervision By Coaches On Athlete Burnout In Chinese Culture." Frontiers Media Sa, Avenue Du Tribunal Federal 34, Lausanne, Ch-1015, Switzerland.

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